Having to cut with a dull miter saw blade is the worst. At the same time, it lessens the quality and quantity of output produced by workers.
Thus, knowing how to change a DeWalt miter saw blade is the surest way to improve performance. Here are the steps and tips to ensure you have quality cuts every time.
Can I Successfully Replace the Blades by Myself?
The best part about miter saws is that you can change the blades yourself. Saw blade replacement doesn’t require a trip to the repair shop or a hefty bill.
And the few tools you’ll need to adjust are probably already in your workshop, garage, or toolbox.
Replacing the Blade of a DeWalt Miter Saw: 6 Steps
Step #1
Switch off the miter saw and unplug it. Despite how clear it seems, many people still overlook this crucial step. Power tools should always be unplugged before being tweaked to prevent electrical shock.
Step #2
Find the blade wrench from behind the fence to remove it. You must loosen the guard cover bolt from the guard link; the driver end is just what you need to do. You can simply elevate the guard cover out of the way by loosening the bolt, but full removal is not required.
When the bolt is undone, the blade bolt will show. Once the blade guard is raised, lower the lid by tightening the bolt that was previously holding it up.
Step #3
Finding the spindle lock button is the next step. You should be able to find it on the side of the blade bolt that faces away from the blade.
The location of the lock shouldn’t be too difficult to find, although this may differ depending on which DeWalt model you have.
Step #4
Carefully turn the blade while holding down the spindle lock. Keep the spindle lock in securely place as you loosen the blade bolt with the wrench.
Take out the worn-out blade and swap it out for a new one.
Step #5
Loosen the spindle lock and tighten the blade bolt. Remember that the DeWalt miter saw’s blade bolt is tightened by turning it backward and loosened by turning it forward. Maybe at first, you feel the want to act in the other way.
It may feel strange to turn counterclockwise to tighten since you may be inclined to turn right to loosen. You’ll get used to it in time, but for now, be careful not to tighten the bolt when you try to unlock your Dewalt miter saw inadvertently.
Step #6
Move the guard cover, undo the bolt holding it and lift it up and out of the way. Adjust the cover guard and re-bolt it into place. Lastly, test out the new blade.
Why Replace Your DeWalt Miter Saw Blade?
For Another Project
Miter saws aren’t limited to just wood cutting. You can also use them on melamine, PVC, aluminum, and copper. But before you start cutting, be sure you have the right blade.
The stock blade on your miter saw should be fine for PVC, but you’ll need a separate blade for the other materials.
You can also use a miter saw to cut nonferrous metals, i.e., aluminum and copper [1]. However, blades tailored to this material will be required.
Avoid cutting metal with the factory-installed rip blade at all costs. Extreme caution is needed.
Old, Dull Blade
As time passes, blades lose their sharpness. Since you cannot sharpen all tools, you should swap out your old or dull blade for a new one to see noticeable improvements.
When your miter saw blade becomes dull or blunt, you should replace it. Drowsiness often manifests as an increase in noise, tears, wear, burn marks, and a decrease in resistance.
More Polished Results
Pre-installed blades typically have few teeth. Usually, a 32-toothed construction blade is included in a brand-new DeWalt miter saw, which is ideal for ripping or harsh chopping. However, it is not ideal for precise cutting.
Switching to a blade designed for precision cutting is recommended if you’re serious about producing professional results.
Our woodworkers recommend that you invest in a high-quality blade with more teeth—the smoother the cut, the more teeth a blade needs. Using a blade with 60 teeth is best when cutting something for furniture.
Additional Tips for Beginners
Safety is always the top priority. Therefore, this should be our top focus while replacing the blade on the DeWalt saw.
What follows are precautions you may take and details that will make your experience more pleasant.
- The saw must be unplugged at all times before the blade is changed to prevent significant injury
- Protect your eyes, ears, and face by donning goggles, earmuffs, and a mask.
- Wear protective gloves whenever handling the blade.
- Never put your bare hand near the blade.
- While you're in the middle of changing the blade, please keep your kids far away.
- Blades made specifically for Dewalt miter saws should be used exclusively with that brand. Use caution while switching brands of blades, and always keep the saw teeth pointing down. Cuts are made by rotating the saw blade in this way.
- When disassembling the saw, be sure to put away all of the screws and components. You could get into problems if you lose only one of the pieces.
- As the spindle lock prevents the blade from moving during a test cut, it must be removed before the procedure can begin.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to change a DeWalt miter saw blade, you won’t need to visit a professional every time you need to replace a single blade. It may seem easy, but it requires your full attention, focus, and expertise.
However easy it is, it’s recommended for beginners who do not have any knowledge of a miter saw’s parts and operation to consult with expert woodworkers how first.
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